The injured trio of Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad were included but there was no place for the wrist spinner in the team that will take the field.
Mushtaq has been drafted into the side in place of Arshad Khan while Anwar and Haq replace Salim Elahi and Salim Malik. Barring, these two changes, the squad remains the same that played the last one-day international against Australia at Lahore and lost by five wickets.
There was also an encouraging news for the fan club of speed merchant Waqar Younis who is expected to stage a comeback in second match at Sheikhupura.
``I talked to Waqar on Wednesday morning. He claims he is 90% fit. But since he was more interested in playing a Patron's Trophy three-dayer to further judge his fitness, we granted him the permission,'' chief selector Wasim Bari said.
Younis has not played for Pakistan since the African safari earlier this year. Younis requires 19 more one-day wickets to join Wasim Akram as only the second bowler with 300 wickets or more. He is also 33 wickets short of reaching the 300-mark in Tests.
Bari said he had a telephonic conversation with Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad.
``All the three players have confirmed their fitness. They played on Tuesday and satisfied the team management,'' Bari said.
Bari said the playing lineup had been announced with the consent of the coach and skipper.
``We feel that since all the one-day wickets are ideal for stroke-makers, there was no doubt about the composition of the side. The players will feel more comfortable rather than knowing on the morning of the game that they are playing,'' said Bari.
Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail said he was satisfied with the team .
``It is a well balanced outfit. Naturally, the inclusion of Saeed (Anwar) and Inzamam (ul-Haq) has bolstered the batting. This is the side I would have loved to play with against Australia,'' he said from Lahore.
According to Bari, Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail will open the innings while Shahid Afridi will bat at No 6. Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan and Wasim Akram will follow him at No 7, 8 and 9.
The team is (according to batting order):
Aamir Sohail (captain), Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Yohanna, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar. Hasan Raza (12th man), Mushtaq Ahmad and Mohammad Akram (reserves).